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‍Former Bank of China Deputy Governor Critiques Bitcoin Pegs Wang Yongli, former deputy governor of the Bank of China, argues that pegging national fiat currencies to Bitcoin (BTC) or other digital assets misunderstands economic history. He asserts that the shift to fiat currency was a necessary progression, and that pegging to fixed assets like gold or BTC creates inflexibility, preventing central banks from adjusting money supply to match economic growth. Wang believes Bitcoin's capped supply, while a hedge against inflation, makes it unsuitable as a foundation for a sovereign currency, viewing such proposals as a regression in monetary logic.
‍Trezor and Ledger Users Targeted by Sophisticated Physical Phishing Scam Cybercriminals are leveraging data from previous security breaches to target Trezor and Ledger hardware wallet users through counterfeit postal mail. These letters mimic official correspondence, complete with logos and holograms, aiming to trick users into revealing their private recovery phrases via malicious websites linked through QR codes. The scam, which demands an "Authentication Check" with strict deadlines, exploits compromised user data and aims to capture seed phrases through fake setup pages. Experts stress that legitimate hardware wallet companies never request recovery phrases through any channel. Users are urged to ignore such requests and immediately transfer funds if they have interacted with suspicious links.
‍Philippine Digital Bank Maya Eyes Up to $1B US IPO Maya, a Philippine digital bank and licensed virtual asset service provider, is reportedly planning a U.S. IPO of up to $1 billion. The move aims to access deeper liquidity in American capital markets, especially as regional exchanges see a slowdown in tech listings. While Maya's integration of crypto trading offers a competitive edge, potential investors will likely scrutinize its virtual asset segment. Reports indicate intermittent issues with crypto trading functionality during periods of sharp price increases, highlighting the need for operational stability and disciplined risk management to ensure a successful listing.
Logan Paul Sets Record Selling Rare Pokémon Card Amid NFT Scrutiny YouTube personality Logan Paul has sold a rare PSA-10 Pikachu Illustrator Pokémon card for nearly $16.5 million, setting a new world record for trading card sales. The transaction occurred on February 16, 2026. This sale, however, has brought renewed attention to Paul's past ventures in fractionalizing asset ownership via blockchain, particularly the Liquid Marketplace. Critics have labeled these efforts as "slop tokenization," and the platform faced a lawsuit in Canada, with the Ontario Securities Commission overseeing legal proceedings. The sale also contrasts sharply with the downturn in the digital collectibles market, where NFTs have seen a significant drop in capitalization, and major platforms have ceased operations.
F2Pool Co-Founder: Bitcoin Strong, Quantum Tech a Bubble Wang Chun, co-founder of F2Pool, expressed confidence in Bitcoin's long-term value while viewing the quantum computing sector as a speculative bubble. He contrasts this with the tangible utility of AI. Wang believes quantum computing lacks practical applications and significant industrial value for decades, unlike AI. His strategy involves being long on Bitcoin and shorting quantum computing stocks like Rigetti Computing ($RGTI), D-Wave Quantum ($QBTS), Quantum Computing Inc. ($QUBT), and IonQ ($IONQ), citing their overvaluation and inadequate commercialization.
Bundesbank Chief Backs Euro CBDC and Stablecoins for EU Autonomy Joachim Nagel, president of the Deutsche Bundesbank, supports a euro-pegged CBDC and euro-denominated stablecoins to strengthen the EU's payment infrastructure and reduce reliance on foreign systems. The EU is working towards a retail digital euro, while a wholesale CBDC offers technical advantages for programmable payments and settlements. Euro stablecoins can facilitate low-cost cross-border transfers. This endorsement comes amidst US efforts to regulate payment stablecoins, which could solidify USD-pegged dominance. The Bundesbank's push for digital euro solutions aims to ensure European economic sovereignty and provide competitive, independent payment options.
Ethereum Whale Accumulation and Technicals Suggest Potential Rally to $2.5K Despite recent price drops, on-chain data and technical formations indicate a potential bullish reversal for Ether (ETH). Long-term investors are accumulating, with accumulation addresses growing significantly and over 2.5 million ETH flowing in during February 2026. Network utility is high, with a record 17.3 million weekly transactions and median fees at just $0.008. Technically, an "Adam and Eve" bottom pattern is forming. A breakout above the $2,150 neckline could trigger a rally towards $2,473-$2,634. While leverage remains high, creating potential for amplified moves, the combination of low costs, whale accumulation, and a maturing technical pattern presents a constructive outlook for ETH, with $2,150 key resistance.
Paradigm: Bitcoin Mining is a Grid Stabilizer, Not a Strain A new report from Paradigm challenges the common perception of Bitcoin mining's energy consumption. Researchers argue that instead of being a static drain, Bitcoin mining acts as a flexible load for electricity grids, capable of stabilizing power during peak demand. The report highlights that Bitcoin mining accounts for only about 0.23% of global energy consumption and 0.08% of carbon emissions. It emphasizes that miners actively seek low-cost, surplus electricity and can scale down operations instantly, unlike residential or critical infrastructure. This flexibility makes Bitcoin miners valuable participants in electricity markets. The discussion is particularly relevant as AI infrastructure demands increase. Several major mining firms are already repurposing facilities for AI data processing, showcasing the evolving role of these high-density computing hubs. Paradigm suggests viewing Bitcoin mining as a strategic grid asset, essential for maintaining the stability of electrical infrastructures amid growing competition for power.
X (formerly Twitter) Introduces "Smart Cashtags" for Financial Data, No Direct Crypto Trading X is set to launch "Smart Cashtags," a feature designed to enhance financial data accuracy on its platform by linking cashtags to specific smart contracts. This aims to resolve ticker symbol ambiguity on "Crypto Twitter," offering real-time data integration and improved community links. Head of Product Nikita Bier confirmed the platform will not act as a licensed brokerage or facilitate direct trade execution, emphasizing its role as a bridge to external financial services. The move aligns with Elon Musk's vision for an "everything app" and follows X's pursuit of money transmitter licenses across over 40 U.S. states for its "X Money" service, currently in employee beta testing. While Musk's interest in Dogecoin is noted, native cryptocurrency support for the payment system remains unconfirmed, with initial plans suggesting a focus on fiat transactions. Despite regulatory scrutiny, X currently serves as an informational hub for the crypto community.
Hong Kong SFC Licenses Victory Fintech Amid Regulatory Expansion The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has granted a license to Victory Fintech Company Limited, marking the first approval since June 2025. This brings the total number of licensed crypto trading platforms in the region to twelve. The SFC's stringent regulatory framework, implemented since June 2024, has led some global platforms to withdraw their applications. Victory Fintech's licensing is timely, as the SFC also issued guidance allowing licensed brokers to offer virtual asset margin financing for BTC and ETH, and a framework for perpetual contracts for professional investors. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has yet to list licensed stablecoin issuers, though draft legislation for crypto advisory services is expected in 2026.
Bitcoin Rally Expected to Reach $80,000 Amidst Strong Accumulation Bitcoin (BTC) shows significant technical and on-chain indicators suggesting a strong recovery and potential rally toward the $80,000-$84,000 range. Key factors include a substantial increase in long-term accumulation, a significant bid skew in exchange order books (2:1 bid-to-ask ratio), and unfilled CME gaps in the target price region. On-chain data reveals record accumulation by "accumulator" addresses, with holdings surging to 372,000 BTC. Furthermore, selling pressure from Long-Term Holders has decreased, indicating reduced supply. These combined factors point to a resilient market structure, with the $80,000-$84,000 CME gap acting as a primary technical target.
Bitcoin Weekly RSI Hits 2022 Lows Amidst Liquidity Squeezes Bitcoin (BTC) experienced significant short-term volatility, particularly during the recent US bank holiday, due to aggressive liquidity hunts. Thinner order books amplified the impact of large-volume entities, triggering liquidations. Technical analysts are drawing parallels to the 2022 bear market, as Bitcoin's weekly Relative Strength Index (RSI) has dropped to 27.8, its lowest point since June 2022. This level typically signals oversold conditions and has historically aligned with market bottoms. The current oversold RSI coupled with active liquidity hunting suggests a potential redistribution phase, setting the stage for future price movements.
Tokenized RWAs Show Resilience Amidst Crypto Market Downturn The sector for tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) has demonstrated significant resilience, with total on-chain value growing by 13.5% in the past 30 days, reaching $10 billion in tokenized US Treasurys and government debt. This growth occurred despite a $1 trillion drawdown in the broader cryptocurrency market. Ethereum, Arbitrum, and Solana saw substantial inflows of traditional assets. Major financial institutions like BlackRock, JPMorgan, and Goldman Sachs are increasingly utilizing public blockchains for financial product issuance and settlement. BlackRock's integration of its USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL) with Uniswap signals a growing institutional footprint in DeFi. This trend contrasts with the wider crypto market's struggles with deleveraging events, highlighting tokenized assets as a stable alternative during volatility.
Metaplanet Reports $605 Million Loss Amid Bitcoin Volatility Japanese investment firm Metaplanet disclosed a ¥95 billion ($605 million) net loss for the fiscal year, primarily due to the depreciation of its significant Bitcoin holdings. Despite $58 million in revenue, the company's strategy of accumulating Bitcoin, with an average purchase price of $107,000 per BTC, has resulted in an unrealized loss of approximately $1.4 billion. In response to market volatility, Metaplanet is diversifying its funding by issuing preferred shares (MERCURY and MARS) to stabilize its balance sheet. This pivot tests the sustainability of the "Bitcoin treasury" model during prolonged price consolidation.
WisdomTree: Bitcoin Enters Institutional Era, Volatility Decreases The cryptocurrency market is transitioning from retail-driven speculation to institutional integration, according to WisdomTree. The digital asset space is maturing, with a focus on portfolio discipline and adherence to professional standards for infrastructure like trading platforms and custody solutions. Institutional capital is driving increased market stability and compressed volatility. Regulation is acting as a catalyst, filtering for quality and transparency, which benefits products like the WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund (BTCW). Institutional interest is also expanding beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum to other altcoins, signaling a move towards broader decentralized technology ecosystems.
Royaltiz Launches Human Capital Trading Platform on Base Network Royaltiz, a France-founded company, has officially expanded into the U.S. market by launching a human capital trading platform on Coinbase's Layer 2 network, Base. The platform offers "ROYS," digital assets tied to the performance and social momentum of public figures. This move formalizes human ambition as a Real World Asset (RWA) category, enabling instant liquidity for talent-linked assets, predictive market insights, and gamified rewards. Royaltiz brings a proven track record to the U.S., with over 220,000 accounts and $250 million in cumulative trading volume. The platform features high-profile athletes like Ollie Bearman and Alisha Lehmann. While holding regulatory approvals in the EU and U.S., Royaltiz positions its ecosystem as a digital engagement and trading hub, distinct from traditional securities.
South Korea Enhances Crypto Oversight with AI Surveillance South Korea's Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) is revolutionizing digital asset regulation by implementing AI-driven surveillance systems. The upgraded Virtual Assets Intelligence System for Trading Analysis (VISTA) now utilizes advanced algorithms and a sliding-window grid search technique to automatically detect suspicious trading patterns like wash trading and pump-and-dump schemes. This move from manual to automated detection aims to improve market integrity and keep pace with high-frequency blockchain transactions. Future plans include network analysis to trace illicit funds and identify coordinated trading networks, with potential for proactive intervention measures such as transaction suspensions for flagged accounts. The FSS emphasizes that AI will support, not replace, human investigators, setting a precedent for global regulatory technology.
‍Guardrail Launches Proactive Security Framework for Stablecoins Blockchain security firm Guardrail, backed by Coinbase Ventures and Haun Ventures, has introduced a unified detection-to-response security model for stablecoin payments. This proactive framework aims to combat rising onchain theft, which reached $3.4 billion in 2025. The stablecoin sector saw transaction volumes of $27.6 trillion in 2024. Guardrail's framework offers real-time monitoring, comprehensive coverage against various threats, and institutional-grade incident response. CEO Samridh Saluja stated the need for proactive security comparable to traditional finance. The system, in partnership with Cantina, provides 24/7 incident response. This evolution in security is crucial for stablecoins' integration into traditional finance.
‍US Crypto Funds See $403M Outflow Amid Global Dip Buying Digital asset investment products have experienced a fourth consecutive week of outflows totaling $173 million. While the U.S. saw $403 million exit, international investors added $230 million, indicating a global "buy the dip" strategy. Bitcoin and Ethereum funds faced outflows, but XRP and Solana attracted new capital. This suggests a capital rotation and search for market bottoms, awaiting macroeconomic stabilization for sustained recovery.
‍Gold Bulls Eye $20,000 as Deep Out-of-the-Money Options Multiply Institutional investors are demonstrating robust conviction in gold’s long-term appreciation, utilizing a recent pullback to accumulate significant positions in deep out-of-the-money call options. Data from the CME indicates the accumulation of approximately 11,000 contracts targeting strike prices of $15,000 and $20,000 per ounce for December expiry. This strategic positioning suggests expectations for a historic rally, potentially driven by concerns over currency debasement, a sentiment also observed in cryptocurrency markets. The aggressive purchase of these contracts underscores a belief in a prolonged upward trend for gold, even as spot prices consolidate. The market reflects a growing divergence between short-term volatility and long-term institutional outlooks.